The New FFE Driver Academey

Career change at 40. 20 years as an outside sales representative with two companies in SC PA. DOWNSIZED at both. Currently unemployed, driving limousine part-time. I have read the first half of the thread and believe it is one of the best on this site. I have enjoyed and learned from the younger guys, thanks.

I would like your feedback on my position. There is a Con-Way LTL terminal ten minutes from my house, student driver training program available when position is posted (N/C, 1 yr). Sygma terminal 45 minutes from my house with driver trainee program (N/C, Nights), or FFE (N/C, 1yr) over the road transition to LTL NE region? Also, does FFE pay per deim, solo or in training?

If I do not qualify for the Workforce Investment Act grant for traing school locally I will need to make a choice on company paid. I figured you must have talked to other drivers while on the road and received feedback about these companies. I am excited for the change of career to support my family, I have had interest in this profession since BJ and the Bear.

Halfway through PA CDL training book so far. The free tests on this forum work great. Thanks in advance for your interest in truthfully answering my questions. Take care and be safe.

 

wanna be home every night? conway ltl is the way to go. "transition to ltl" with FFE could take forever, as spots rarely open up. you would be otr until then.

 

DPS Department of Public Safety, DMV in most states

 

Thanks for the honesty. I will be working on my decision over the next month. I have to look at all of my choices.

Regarding FFE, I have some questions that I hope you or anyone else would help me with during training and while with a trainer.
1. Will FFE put a male graduated student with a female trainer over the road or not? If you are married, I hope you can understand the reason for this question.

2. I am currently using a C-Pap machine at night for snoring, no problems for two years after a sleep study. How does FFE handle this? I have a PA DOT medical examination card valid until December 2012 needed for driving limousine service. This should help shouldn't it?

3. Would I be better off getting my PA CDL permit ahead of the training time if I were to choose FFE as my new employer?

4. In total, how much out of pocket money should I allow for training time and for what? Also, does FFE pay Per Diem during OTR training over and above the $455.00? Do they pay Per Dieim when you go solo?

I appreciate the feedback from everyone, these questions were floating around my head today as I was on the road. I did a round trip from Lancaster PA, to JFK airport in NY (PA tpk, NJ tpk, Belt pky) to pick up travelers. I was in a black 14 passenger limousine mini bus with dual rear wheels on steroids. I was impressed with how many FFE trucks I passed during my trip. There must be some freight in this area. I understand there is a terminal in NJ. Is there any FFE property in Harrisburg PA or Baltimore MD? Living close to NJ, would this bring me through here more often? Would I be able to bring my truck home when I am at home? I am just brainstorming, when my kids are in bed I just dump the truck. Thanks for understanding.

I just want you guys to know that FFE is at the top of my list for OTR carriers, and I am determined to do well in this industry. I hope to meet some of you someday. Hey, where did the founding fathers of this thread go? Playmaker, Spat, Tigger? Are they still tuning in? Take care and be safe.

 

OP Playmaker went on to bigger and better things, spat and tigger are probably on the road, i believe they may actually be trainers, im sure they will pop in from time to time to update this thread.

 

To all the 6/11 people study, study,study. Its a lot to take in and get rest when u get here. Be ready to take notes and and be ready for a lot of reading. I love it here, everyone is so nice and helpful. I got my permit and passed my other tests. Tomorrow I will be getting into a truck and its only Thursday of my first week. I am so glad to make FFE my decisionof a driving school and eventually job

 

Oh and can't wait to meet yall June 11th peeps

 

rest, real truck drivers need no rest according too our dispatcher's lmao

 

Thanks for your answers to my questions. I will look into the medical stuff with the recruiters.

Hey, I saw truck 12407 tonight running up Interstate 83 N from Baltimore. Nice new green truck. You know who he is? Anyway, I will continue my decision making this month and hopefully decide by mid-July. I appreciate the posts and look forward to any new information that comes my way. Take care everyone.

 

Thanks for the info horsegurl I will be arriving sunday afternoon. I look forward to meeting you and some of the others i have talked to on this forum. Best of luck to you.